Friday, February 6, 2015

February 4, 2015 - kicker Sterling Hofrichter & long snapper Matt Keller sign"Sterling Hofrichter: Valrico, Fla., Armwood HS, 2014 Florida All-State Class 6A First Team ... Ranked as the sixth-best
kicker and ninth-best punter by Kohl’s Kicking Camp ... In 2014, helped lead the
Hawks to a 15-1 record and the Class 6A state championship game ... As a senior,
hit eight
field goals and 61 PATs, and averaged 40.1 yards per punt ... In 2013,
team played in Class 6A state championship game ... Career stats: 17
field
goals, 131 PATsMatt Keller: Willow Street, Pa., Penn Manor HS, Enrolled in January and will participate in Spring practice ...
High
school:
2014 Under Armour All-American and played in the 2015 Under Armour
All-American game ... 2014 Eastern Pennsylvania Football Big School First Team
... 2014 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 at center and honorable mention at
defensive end ... As a senior captain, had 26 tackles, including three for a loss and
1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery ... 2013 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section
1 Honorable Mention at center ... 2013 Kohl’s Kicking All-America First Team." - Orange

December 7, 2014 - long snapper Matt
Keller commits"Penn Manor (Millersville, Pa.) High School senior long snapper Matt
Keller has verbally committed to Syracuse after taking an official visit
this weekend. Mike McAllister of Scout.com first reported the news. Keller, who stands at 6 feet and weighs 225 pounds, becomes the
Orange's 25th verbal commitment in the Class of 2015, counting 2014
holdover cornerbacks Lamar Dawson and Treevon Prater. Coming into the
visit, his only offer was from the Orange, Penn Manor head coach Todd
Mealy said on Thursday, though North Carolina, Louisville and Texas Tech
were all showing interest.Keller is ranked the No. 1 long snapper in the country by Kohl's Kicking.... With SU senior long snapper Sam Rodgers set to graduate, the Orange
will also return walk-on redshirt sophomore Keith Mitsuuchi and walk-on
true freshman Nathan Hines at the position." - Syracuse.com

October 30, 2014 - punter Riley Dixon

"The senior’s
43.5 yards per punt rank him just 0.9 yards off the Atlantic Coast
Conference lead. His 1,869 punting yards are fourth in the conference.
More than one-third of his punts have pinned opponents inside the
20-yard line. And while his season’s been defined by his punting, it’s
been highlighted by his offensive capabilities. When Syracuse faced
Villanova on Aug. 29, Dixon threw a game-winning touchdown on a fake
field goal in double overtime to help SU capture a 27-26 win. Against
Notre Dame on Sept. 27, he faked a punt and ran 42 yards, becoming SU’s leading rusher for the game in the process." - Daily Orange

October 19, 2014 -kicker Cole Murphy"Cole Murphy has stabilized the field goal kicker position. Murphy was
3-for-3 on field goals against Wake Forest and has made 8-of-9 since
taking over the job." - Syracuse.com

September 30, 2014 - kicker Cole Murphy

"In the Orange’s
34-20 loss to Maryland on Sept. 20, he came on for starter Ryan Norton
and booted a 49-yard field goal during the first quarter. In Saturday’s
game against Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, he started and
made a 38-yard field goal on his first try before hitting the right
upright and missing from 37 later in the game. His powerful leg had him taking kickoffs in the Orange’s season opener against Villanova. But junior starting kicker Ryan Norton went 4-for-7 in SU’s first two games and Murphy pushed into a starting role against the Fighting Irish. 'Every week’s a competition,' Murphy said before the Notre Dame game. 'Every week we’re trying to get the exact same spot. I’m trying to get Norton’s, he’s trying to get mine'." - Daily Orange

September 23, 2014 - kicking competition"After junior kicker Ryan Norton missed a 25-yard field goal and
freshman walk-on kicker Cole Murphy hit a 49-yarder in Syracuse's 34-20
loss to Maryland on Saturday, the two are splitting reps in practice
this week. Special teams coach Tim Daoust said the two will continue to see even
kicks in practice Wednesday and Thursday before a decision is made
heading into the Orange's matchup with No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday at 8
p.m. in MetLife Stadium. 'We'll sit around and talk as coaches, and the best guy wins,' Daoust said." - The Post-Standard

September 12, 2014 - punter/QB Riley Dixon

"Many of the people watching Syracuse University’s 27-26 overtime victory
against Villanova in the Aug. 29 season opener were shocked to see SU
punter/holder Riley Dixon throw the game-winning touchdown pass on a
fake field goal.... Dixon, a senior who became just the 11th non-quarterback to throw a
touchdown for SU since 1980, said he played under center all through
youth football until he was a junior in high school.... Dixon is one of 25 punters in the nation on the watch list
for the Ray Guy Award, presented annually to the best player in the
nation at the position. 'To be honest, nothing has
changed since that play,' Dixon said. 'I’m a punter. I’m a punter that
holds field goals, but my main focus is on getting better at my craft
and preparing for that next game'." - Watertown Daily Times

August 17, 2014 - punter Evan Jakubowski
leaves team"Freshman walk-on punter Evan Jakubowski
left the team. CuseNation.com learned of the news Sunday evening and it
was confirmed by Syracuse Athletics. No reason was immediately given.
Jakubowski came to Syracuse as a walk-on and announced his intentions in April." - Scout

August 2, 2014 - hip injury ends Ross Krautman's kicking career"Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman has decided to end his career because
of a chronic hip injury that he's been battling the last few years. Head coach Scott Shafer announced the decision on Saturday afternoon.... Shafer said the decision on Krautman was made "a short while back" and that Krautman was 'crushed'. 'It breaks my heart,' Shafer said. 'The kid was beside himself. But he'll do well with that SU degree.' Krautman's return to the field had been anticipated since he received
a medical waiver for a fifth season. He underwent hip surgery last year
and missed the final 11 games of the 2013 season. 'We were really hopeful he was going to make it back,' Shafer said. 'It's continued to be a bother to him. He's had a lot of pain with it. Ross is a great kid, one of my favorite kids on the team, and I
really appreciate the effort he put into his time here at Syracuse and
he'll be missed, he really will'." - Syracuse.com

July 10, 2014 - kicker Cole Murphy"He'll be thrown into an intriguing position group that includes injury-plagued fifth-year senior Ross Krautman, twice-suspended junior Ryan Norton and senior walk-on Alex Hodgkinson, the British kicker who
was added to the SU roster after Norton's first suspension....Murphy, one of four preferred walk-ons in the class (punter Evan
Jakubowski, center Donnie Foster and long snapper Nathan Hines are the
others) said he hopes to earn a scholarship by his sophomore year. His strength is power, nailing a 50-yarder and recording 57
touchbacks for Valencia last season. His accuracy — Murphy made 6-of-9
field goals as a senior and 10-of-15 in his high school career — is his
main focus for improvement." - The Post-Standard

June 27, 2014 - kicker/punter Sterling Hofrichter commitsArmwood (Seffner, Fla.) High School kicker/punter Sterling Hofrichter
verbally committed to Syracuse on Friday, he confirmed in a phone
interview. 'I was just waiting out to see if I had any offers, any other choices
I had,' Hofrichter said. 'But Syracuse, once I went up there, I fell in
love with it. I love the coaches. That's why I committed to Syracuse.' Hofrichter, ranked the No. 6 kicker and No. 13 punter in the nation by kohlskicking.com, becomes the 18th member in the Orange's Class of 2015 and 16th announced verbal commitment.... Hofrichter said he was told by the coaching staff that they expect him to start right away. 'The kicking coach (Christopher Gould) there told me that they want
me to come in and start as a freshman, Hofrichter said. They've
already told me that they want me to do field goals, kickoffs and
punting. If Hofrichter keeps his verbal pledge and signs his letter of intent
in February, he'll join an Orange team with turnover coming in the
kicking unit. Kicker Ross Krautman, who was granted a fifth year of
eligibility, will be gone, while kicker Ryan Norton and punter Riley
Dixon will be entering their final seasons." - The Post-Standard

May 30, 2014 - kicker/punter Sterling Hofrichter visitsSyracuse hosted its No. 1 target on special teams on Friday when Florida kicker/punter Sterling Hofrichter visited the school. As far as visits go, it was pretty routine. He toured campus, checked
out the Carrier Dome, weight room, cafeteria, locker room and dorm
rooms he'd be staying in as a freshman. He also tried on the new
uniforms, a moment he captured and posted on Instagram during the visit. But there was also the business end of things. He met with several
members of the staff, including head coach Scott Shafer, and left with
the same impression he had before flying up to Syracuse. It wants Hofrichter to be its specialist of the future. 'He told me I'm their man and they're not going to offer anybody, but
if it gets too late later on and they don't know if I'm going to commit
to them, they might offer another kicker,' Hofrichter said Friday
night. 'But he said he'll let me know if they're going to offer another kicker.' A lot will hinge in the coming weeks as Hofrichter attends kicking camps at Tennessee and Auburn." - Syracuse.com

April 23, 2014 - kicker Ryan Norton currently suspended"Norton did not play in Saturday's spring game because he was serving a suspension for a violation of team rules. Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer revealed the news on Wednesday's ACC
coaches' teleconference. He did not say what team rule Norton broke,
but the junior kicker will re-join the team this summer. 'He violated some team rules, and he's done a nice job taking
ownership,' Shafer said. 'It's between Ryan and I, but he'll be back
with us shortly and we look forward to that.' It's the second time in five months Norton was suspended. He was suspended for the Nov. 2 game against Wake Forest after police arrested and charged him with resisting arrest and underage drinking. He returned the following week and converted both field goal attempts in a victory at Maryland." - Syracuse.comApril 21, 2014 - kicker Evan Jakubowski competing"Riley Dixon was offered a scholarship by the Orange at the end of
last season and seems to have solidified his spot as the team’s starting
punter. But with rising senior Ross Krautman missing much of last
season with a hip injury and rising junior Ryan Norton sidelined this
spring, Jakubowski is ready to contend for kickoffs and field goals in
the fall. 'My high school needed a kicker senior year, so I went in and did all
three kicks and loved every minute of it,' Jakubowski said. 'I always
thought it would be great to compete in college and now I have that
opportunity. I obviously want to try and get on the field right away'.” - Daily OrangeApril 19, 2014 - spring game"Senior kicker Alex Hodgkinson converted both of his field goal attempts, covering 23 and 28 yards, respectively." - CuseApril 10, 2014 - long snapper Nathan Hines switches"Nathan Hines, a walk-on long snapper from Catonsville High, was originally going to go to his hometown Maryland Terrapins. Subsequent to what appeared to be his final decision, he took a trip to Syracuse to visit the Orange.... 'They gave me an opportunity to play,' Hines said. 'Where at
Maryland I was going to be a backup. The coaches at Syracuse were real
nice. Not hating on the Maryland coaches, they were nice too. I just
felt more at home at Syracuse.' Hines is a 6-foot-3, 250 pound athlete who played long snapper,
defensive end and tight end in high school. He will join Syracuse this
summer and be on the roster for the 2014 season." - ScoutApril 9, 2014 - kicker/punter
Evan Jakubowski commits"Syracuse picked up some depth in special teams when kicker/punter
Evan Jakubowski announced his commitment to the Orange via his Twitter
account late Wednesday afternoon. He becomes the 26th player in SU’s
Class of 2014. 'Incredibly blessed to say I am now officially committed to play
football at Syracuse University! #GoOrange,' Jakubowski tweeted. Listed at 6 feet and 175 pounds on his Hudl profile, Jakubowski can
join the Orange for practice in August after he ends his career at
Wheaton-Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Ill." - Daily OrangeApril 2, 2014 - looking to add another punter"There is little from putting Syracuse in a challenging situation
should the Orange lose Riley Dixon, and that is enough of a reason for the
staff to bring in another punter before the start of the season. 'We're hoping, if it's the right guy,' head coach Scott Shafer said
following Tuesday's practice. 'We'll have some good people in mind, but
it hasn't been solidified yet. But we'll have someone in camp.' Syracuse is in the market for an additional punter after Jonathan Fisher left the team this offseason to focus on graduating in December.... Alex Hodgkinson, an ex-rugby player from London, walked onto the football team last season
and has started punting in practice as well. Shafer said 'it wasn't the
prettiest thing in the world, but he got it down the field. He has a pretty good leg but was inconsistent with getting it off on
time,' Shafer said. 'But now he's been under the 1.3s and that's pretty
good'."- Syracuse.comMarch 5, 2014 - first to offer kicker Sterling Hofrichter"Syracuse has left little doubt who the top kicking specialist is on
its recruiting board for 2015. Head coach Scott Shafer watched the kid
hit a 55-yard field goal during a December practice in Florida, and his
mind was made up. This is who he envisioned taking over the position in
the near future.
Sterling Hofrichter is the only kicker Syracuse has offered,
according to recruiting services. What makes him even more appealing is
that his punting might equal his field goal kicking ability.... He said he's planning on taking an unofficial visit to campus this
summer, around the time he is traveling north to attend a kicking camp
in Wisconsin. That Syracuse was his first offer was meaningful, he said,
but a mix of good football with a strong academic curriculum for
physical therapy are early factors he values. Miami (Fla.) and Penn
State are two schools that have showed interest, but no other school has
yet offered." - The Post-StandardFebruary 24, 2014 - kicker Ryan Norton sentenced to community service"A Syracuse City Court judge ruled on Monday that a kicker on the
Syracuse University football team who was arrested in October for
resisting arrest and unlawful possession of alcohol complete 30 hours of
community service. If Ryan Norton completes the community service and stays out of
additional legal trouble, the case will be dismissed after six months." - Daily OrangeFebruary 20, 2014 - punter Jonathan Fisher leaves team"Fisher has left the team to focus on getting his
degree in December, SU Athletics spokeswoman Sue Edson confirmed on
Thursday. Fisher, a junior, still had one season left of eligibility, but lost
his starting job to Riley Dixon after the Orange’s loss to then-No. 19
Northwestern in early September. He appeared in three games in 2013,
punting eight times for an average of 39.1 yards.... He was the Orange’s starter for the entirety of the 2012 season and
averaged 38.4 yards per punt. He was one of 10 true freshmen to appear
in a game during 2011. He punted 43 times in nine games for an average
of 39.3 yards per kick. Fisher finishes his SU career with 104 punts with an average 38.3
yards per kick. He leaves Dixon, a kicker/punter, as the only punter on
Syracuse’s roster for 2014." - Daily Orange